Fluid valve



April 1, 1952 D. REEVES 2,591,293

FLUID VALVE Filed April 16, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Flq- 2 D. H. REEVES April 1, 1952 FLUID VALVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 16, 1945 April 1, 1952 D. H. REEVES 2,591,293

FLUID VALVE Filed April 16, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A I60 23a 72?: 2/

Patented Apr. 1, 1952 FLUID VALVE Donald H. Reeves, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Donald H. Reeves And Associates, Beulah,

Mich., a partnership Application April 16, 1945, Serial No. 588,666

12 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid valve assemblies or faucets and more particularly to valves or faucets that may be frequently opened or closed.

This invention is related to the invention disclosed in my copending applications for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 508,721 and Serial No. 509,633 ripening into Patents Nos. 2,497,557 and 2,497,558 respectively, each dated February 14, 1950, and also to the invention disclosed in the application for Fuid Valve, Serial No. 588,665, filed April 16, 1945. This application discloses improvements upon the former applications.

This invention relates particularly to valve assemblies having multiple ports that are used in various ways to overcome the necessity of having numerous single port valve assemblies.

In the past, valves and faucets, particularly those commonly used in connection with lavatories, bath tubs, showers, sinks, laundry tubs and other such applications, have mainly been made as single port valves, where each assembly controls only a single fluid flow. This being the case, where both hot and cold water are available, it has been the common practice to have two faucets or two valves connected to a common but separate outlet at each place of usage, as explained in my aforementioned application filed herewith. There are also many cases where the present practice is to have three or more valves at one point of usage.

In many localities the Water is so hard that either rain water or softened water is used for all washing; but it is desirable to have the regular water supply available for use for drinking andcooking purposes and for other purposes where the soft water is not advantageous. In such cases, it is customary to have both hot and cold soft water and cold city Water available at the kitchen sink and in all lavatories. The present practice in such cases is to either furnish three separate faucets at each point where Water is needed, or else have three separate valves connected to a common outlet, each valve or faucet having a control handle which must be operated independently. The same combination of valves or faucets is necessary where there are hot and cold city water and ice water available at one place, as is frequently found in hotel rooms. In the latter case, however, the ice water valve is usually of the self-closing type, that is, of the type that will close as soon as the operator releases the handle, whereas the other valves are usually of the holding type that remain open until the operator closes them.

Often there is a need of a mixture of hot and cold water delivered to either of two outlets at one place, such as to a tub and to a shower over the tub, or to a kitchen sink or to the spray used at the sink for rinsing dishes or vegetables. It is now common practice to either have two pairs of hot and cold water valves, one pair for each outlet, making a total of four separate valves, or else to have one pair of hot and cold water valves and a three-way valve to direct the water to the proper outlet.

Valves and faucets now in common use have most of their working parts in the water chamber, where the corrosive action of the water often makes the valve soon unusable. This has been particularly true in regard to mixer or multiple valves.

Valves and faucets now in common use are so made that unless extreme care is exercised in closing the valves, they may remain. partically open, causing a drip or a small stream to continue to run, which is both wasteful and very annoying. When there are several valves connected to a common outlet, it is often necessary, in case of a drip, to try closing all of the valves before the correct one will be discovered.

An object of this invention is to improve valve assemblies. More specifically, an object of this invention is to provide valve assemblies such that a single assembly will replace several separate valve assemblies at one point of usage, thereby simplifying the necessary connections and adding greatly to the convenience of usage of the valve system.

Another object of this invention is to provide multiple valve assemblies so made that when the operator attempts to close the valve or valves that may be open, closure of all valves will be complete, so as to insure no leakage, regardless of how carelessly the closing operation has been performed.

Another object of this invention is to provide multiple valve assemblies so made that the desired flow through the various ports is controlled by a single handle.

Another object of this invention is to provide multiple valve assemblies so made that closure of any and all open valves can be accomplished by means of a single control means.

Another object of this invention is to provide multiple valve assemblies so made that any desired mixture of two fluids can be delivered in any desired quantity to either of two outlets.

Another object of my invention is to provide multiple valve assemblies so made that any de- 3 V sired mixture of two fluids can be delivered in any desired quantity or a third fluid can be delivered in any desired quantity, all from a single outlet.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of one embodiment of my invention, showing the parts as they would be when all valves are in the closed position. This view is taken approximately along the cross sectional line I=-=-l of Figure 4.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the same embodiment, approz'rimately along the cross sectional line 2-2 of Figure 4, showing two of the valves in their closed positions.

Figure 3 is. a horizontal cross sectional view "of the same embodiment, taken approximately along the cross sectional line 33 of Figure 1,

with the handle socket omitted.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross sectional View of the same embodiment, takenapproximately along the cross sectional" line 4-4 of Figure 1,

showing the valve operating mechanism. Figure 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the same embodiment, taken approximately along the cross sectional line 5-5 of Figure 1, showing the water outlet chambers.

Figure 6 isa horizontal cross sectional view of the same embodiment taken approximately along the cross sectional line 6-6 of Figure 1, showing the water inlet connections.

Figure 7 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the same embodiment taken approximately along the cross sectional line 1'| of Figure 1, being a section through the spring chambers. Figure. 8 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of the same embodiment, corresponding to Figure 1, showing the valve operating mechanism with the control handle inthe forward position, so as to open-one or both of the rear valves.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view of the same portion of the mechanism as shown in Figure 8 but with the control handle in the rearward position, so as to open one or both of the front valves.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view corresponding to Figure 8, showing the mechanism at the instant that the release lever has been pressed, so as tocause the closing of the valves.

Figure 11 shows the sameme'chanism as Figure 10 atthe instant that the control mechanism has reached the central or closed position, but before the operator has ceased to press the release lever.

Figure 12 is a vertical cross sectional view of a second embodiment of my invention, showing the parts as they would be when all valves are in their closed pos-itions.- This view taken approximately along the cross sectional line I2l 2 of Figure 14. 7 Figure 13- is ahoriz'ontal cross sectional view of this second" embodiment, taken approximately 'alongthe cross sectional line !-3-|3* of Figure 12, with the handle socket omitted.

/ Figure 14 is a horizontal cross sectional View of this second embodiment, taken approximately along the cross sectional line l-'4'=t4 of Figure 12, showing a topview of the valve" operating mechanism.-

- Figure 15 is a horizontal cross sec-tional view 4 of this second embodiment approximately along the cross sectional line l5l5 of Figure 12, showing the water outlet chamber.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional View of a modification of the second embodiment, showing the parts as they would be when all valves are in their closed positions.

Figure 17 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the modification disclosed'in Figure 16 and taken approximately along the cross sectional line l1l'| of Figure 16 with the handle socket omitted.

Figure 18 shows the same mechanism as is shown in Figure 16, but with the control handle in its rearward position, so as to open the forward valve.

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic view of a modified curved top for supporting the handle socket.

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic view of the modified curved top shownin Figure 19, showing the socketin open position.

Figure 21 is another schematic diagram, showing the position of the socket after it has advanced to upright position.

In the drawings, the reference character 30 designates a valve support, such as a lavatory, bath tub, sink or the like. This support 3i! is provided with an aperture receiving the main body 32 of a valve assembly. This" main body 32 is preferably fastened to the support 30 by any suitable means, various types of which are shown in my copending. applications.

As best seen in Figure 5, the body 32 has four replaceable fluid orifice members 34, 36, 38 and 40. These orifice members are threaded into the main body 32, with gaskets 42: making a leakproof joint. Orifice members 34. and 40 have been so shown in Figure 2. Obviously, these orifice members can be made as integral parts of the main body, if desired. As best shown in Figure 5, orifice members 34 and 36 empt into chamber 44 which is connected by means of duct 46 to outlet connection 48 which is connected to any suitable outlet, as for example, the shower over a, bath tub. In like manner, orifice members 3'8 and 40 empty into chamber 50 which is connected by means of duct 52 to outlet connection 54 which is connected to any suitable outlet,'as for example, the nozzle emptying into a bath tub. These twochambers, 44 and 50, are separated by partition 55', which is a part of the main body member.

Each of the orifice member's connects by means of ducts to one of the fiud' inlets, as best seen in Figure 6. The orifice in member 34 through duct 58 and the orifice member 38 through duct 68 both connect with fluid inlet 62, which can be connected to the supply of any suitable fluid, as for example,- hot water. Likewise, the orifice in member 36 through duct- 64 and the orifice inmember 48 through duct 66' both connectwith fiuid inlet 68, which can be connected to' the supply of any second suitable fluid, such as cold water. 7

A single diaphragm (El of rubber-like mate rial'extends' across the upper ends of all four orifices and is supported by ledge T2 and partition 56 of the body 32. A spring housing 14 beats upon the upper surface of the diaphragm l0 and aretainer 16- rests upon the top'of the housing 14-. The diaphragm 10, the spring housing 14 and the retainer 16 are all held rigidly together as shown by means of screws [8, which go freely through the diaphragm T0, the spring housing 14 and the retainer 16 and screw into the body 32. Thus, the diaphragm I0 is clamped between the body 32 and the spring housing I4, preventing any fluid from passing from the chambers 44 or 50 to any of the upper or working parts of the valve assembly.

As best seen in Figure '7, the spring housing 14 has four vertical cylindrical holes 80, 82, 84 and 86, which are concentric respectively with the orifice members 34, 36, 38 and 40. In each of these holes is a plunger 88, shown in the hole 80,

above which plunger is a disc 90 and above that a spring 92, the lower end of which rests on the disc 90 and the upper end of which is confined by retainer I6 so that, unless otherwise prevented from doing so, the spring 92 will force the plunger 88 downwardly and that in turn will force the section of diaphragm I0 directly below the plunger 88 downwardly, so as to close the upper opening of the orifice in member 34 and thereby prevent fluid from flowing through that orifice. Spring 92 is made of sufiicient pressure so as to cause the diaphragm to close the orifice against the highest presure and velocity that will be encountered.

A lifter member 94 is so connected to the disc 90 that when the lifter member 94 is raised, it will cause the disc 90 to rise, which in turn allows the plunger 88 and the portion of the diaphragm 10 directly below it to rise, due to the pressure of the fluid in the orifice in member 34, so that orifice is now open and fluid can fiow therefrom. Each of the other three cylindrical holes in the spring housing 14 has a plunger, a disc, a spring and a lifting member similar to those described and designated in hole 80. As we will later have need for separate designations for the four lifter members, we will designate the lifters over orifices in the members 34, 36, 38 and 40, as 94, 96, 98 and I00 respectively.

Resting on the upper end of body member 32 is a cap I02. This cap has a tongue I03 which engages a slot in the top of body 32, so that the cap cannot turn with respect to the body. Through an aperture I04 in the cap I02, as best shown in Figure 3, projects a handle pivot member I06, on which are carried control handle I08, handle socket H0 and lock nut II2, the lock nut and the threaded handle permitting of adjustment of the parts. The pivot member I06 has a flattened section II4 which goes through a hole of like shape in the socket I I0, so that the socket will not turn in relation to the pivot member and designations on the socket as to handle movements will be correctly placed. The lower edge of the socket I I0 rests on the arcuate upper surface of the cap I02.

The lower end of pivot member I06 terminates in a somewhat disc-like section H6, in the upper surface of which are four depressions I I8 having spherical bottoms and tapered sides in which depressions rest the spherically ended portions I20 of the lifting members. Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that these four depressions are spaced approximately 90 apart around the center of the valve assembly and are in the same directions from the center of the valve assembly as are the cylindrical holes in which the lifter members operate.

Control handle I08, which is fastened rigidly to the pivot member I06 and the handle socket H0, is restricted in its movement by the shape of the aperture I04 in the cap I02, through which the stem of the pivot member I06 projects. The handle I08 can be moved from its vertical or central position in either direction along a line I22 or along a line I24 or anywhere between these two lines, as permitted by the aperture I04. When moved in any of these directions, the handle assembly, which includes handle I08, pivot member I06, socket H0 and lock nut II2, will rotateabout the center of the spherical portion of the cap I02, since the edge of socket H0 is resting on the spherical'end of the cap. If, therefore, the handle I08 is moved from its vertical position along the line I22 toward the point marked Cold, as shown in Figure 3, depression H8 in the disc-like portion II6 of pivot member I06 will rise and will therefore cause lifter member 96 to rise, allowing orifice in member 36 to open, and if the valve is connected as stated in the foregoing description, cold water will flow to the shower outlet. If, on the other hand, the handle I08 is moved along line I24 toward Hot, then the lifter 94 will be caused to rise, allowing orifice in member 34 to open so that hot water will fiow to the shower. If the control handle is moved to the right, as viewed in Figure 3, in

some direction between the lines I22 and I24,

then both the lifters 94 and 96 will be raised, the relative amount depending upon the direction of the movement of the handle, so that a mixture of hot and cold water will fiow to the shower. Obviously, the farther the control handle is moved from its central position, the more the valves will be opened and the greater will be the fiow through them. If the handle I08 is moved from its vertical position along line I124 toward the point marked Cold, lifter member I00 will be raised, opening the orifice in member 40 and allowing cold water to flow into the tub, while if the handle I08 is moved along line I22 toward the point marked Hot, the lifter member 98 will be raised and the orifice in member 38 will open, allowing hot water to fiow to the tub. If the handle I08 is moved to the left, as viewed in Figure 3, in some direction between the lines I22 and I24, then both lifters 98 and H00 will be raised, the relative amount depending upon the direction of the movement of the handle, so a mixture of hot and cold water will flow into the tub. Thus it is possible by the movement of the one control handle in various directions to cause any desired mixture of the two inlet fiuids to fiow in any desired quantity from either of two outlets as may be desired. The principles used in the mixing .of the two liquids is the same as that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 509,633, now Patent No. 2,497,558, and the aforementioned application Serial No. 588,665, filed April 16, 1945, in which applications the principles and operations are described in more detail.

When the control handle I08 has been moved away from its vertical or central position, one or more of the compression springs, such as 92, which are used to close the various orifices, are compressed and therefore tend to pull the handle I08 back to its vertical or central position. This is prevented, however, by the friction of the lower edge of the handle socket I I0, against the spherical surface of the cap I02, the angle of contact being such that the friction is greater than the rotating force created on the handle by the springs. Thus, the handle will remain wherever the operator leaves it until the operator purposely causes it to move, either to change the proportions of the mixture or the quantity of the flow, or to shut it off completely. In case any one or two of the orifices are open, they can both be closed in one operation by moving the handle I08 to its vertical or central position.

'This'isa simple-:and'easy operation and a valve assembly could be considered complete with no more parts than have heretofore been described.

' While the previously described method of closing the orifices entails a simple and'easy. operation, there is no assurance that the valve will be completely closed, as is also the case in connection with valves now in common use-as slightly .careless operation can easily result in the handle complete closure.

A'release lever I26 is pivoted to the retainer 16 by means of a pin I28. This release lever I26 projects through an aperture I29 formed by aligning slots in the top of body 32 and the lower edge of cap I02. This release lever I26 has at its inner end a prong I30,'the upper surface of which is immediately below the partially spherical end I32 of pivot member I06. If the handle I08 has been moved out of its vertical or central position, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, so as to cause certain of the orifices to be opened and if then the outer end of the release lever is pressed by the operator, prong I30 of the release lever will contact spherical endlI32 of the pivot member and further movement of the release lever will cause the entire handle assembly to rise, as shown in Figure 10, so that handle socket H will no longer be in firm contact with the spherical surface of cap I02. This being the case, the friction between these parts becomes negligible and the handle is now free to be returned to its central position by the springs 92 above whatever orifices have been opened, and the handle will be moved until all orifices have been closed, at which time all of the springs will have lost their power to move the control handle. While, to

clarify the illustration, Figure 10 shows the handle assembly raised to such an extent that there is a considerable gap between the lower edge of the handle socket and the spherical surface of the cap I02, actually, only the very slightest clearance isnecessary to remove the friction between these parts.

-very simply and almost surely effecting complete closure of any open valves. This valve assembly, as heretofore described, will therefore constitute a highly satisfactory mechanism.

While it is highly probable that the operator will still be pressing the release lever I23 when the handle I08 has returned to its central position, thereby insuring the closing of all valves, there is a rather remote possibility that the operator may let go of the release lever so quickly that, the handle will not have had time to complete its return, in which case one or more of the orifices may be left partially open. To

.member I06 when. thehandle I08 is in its central position, as shown in Figure I; -Wheh the handle isin this position, the rocker arm I36 causes detent I34 to be at approximately the extreme limit of its travel away from release lever I26,

so that the tapered surface I50 of the detent, which extends underthe end of the prong I30 of the release lever I26, allows the release lever torotate sufficiently counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 1, so that the upper surface of the prong I30 will not touch the partially spherical :lower portion I32 of pivot member I06 and the release lever will be thus moved counterclockwise by extension spring I52, which at one end engages arm I54, which is an integral part of the release lever I26, while the other end engages pin I56 on rocker arm I36. When the handle I08 is moved either forwardly, as shown in Figure 8,-or backwardly, as shown in Figure 9, it

will be seen that the cam surface I46 on rocker arm I36 no longer contacts projection I48 on pivot member I06 so that the rocker arm I36 tends to rotate clockwise under the pull of spring I52 on pin I56 but is prevented from doing so because the same spring I52 is causing prong I30 of release lever I26 to bear downwardly upon the tapered surface I50 of detent I34 with surficient pressure so that the friction between the prong I30 and the detent I34 and between detent I34 and retainer is suflicient to prevent any movement of either detent I34 or release lever I26, neither of which can move under the action of spring I52 without the other being moved counter to'theaction of this same spring. The moment arm of the spring on rocker arm I 36 is so small in comparison to the moment arm of the spring on the release lever I26 that there is no possibility of the detent I34 forcing the prong I30 of the release lever I26 upwardly, while the slope of the surface of detent I34 where it contacts prong I30 is so slight that the prong cannot force the detent away. Therefore, detent I34, rocker arm I36 and release lever I26 will not move unless actuated by some external force.

However, if the outer end of the release lever I26 is pressed downwardly, as shown in Figure 10, the resultant raising of prong I30 allows detent I 34 to move to the right, being actuated by the pull of spring'I'52 on rocker arm I36, so that the sloping surface I50 of the detent is always in contact with the lower side of the end of prong'I30 on release lever I26. Since the slope of the surface I50 of the detent I34 is so slight that'the pressure of prong I30 cannot force the detent backward, the detent will hold the release lever I26 in its farthest position of clockwise rotation, as viewed in Figure 10, to which it has been moved by the downward pressure of the outer end of the release lever. Thus, if the release lever has been pressed far enough so that the friction between socket H0 and cap I02 has been relieved and the handle I08 can be moved toward its central position by the action of the valve springs, then the release lever will stay in this position, even though the operator ceases to press on the outer end of the release lever, until projection I48 on pivot member I06 again contacts camming surface I46 on rocker arm I36, after which further movement of the handle I08 toward its central position will force rocker arm I36 to rotate clockwise around its pivot I38 and somove detent I34 to the left, as shown in Figure 11., If,'at this time, the operator has ceased to press on the release lever, the release lever I26 will immediately rotate counterclockwise under the-action of spring I52 and of the "pressure of the handle assembly, allowing the handle assembly to lower until the lower edge of socket II is again in contact with cap I02. As the handle assembly lowers, the lowering of projection I48 will cause further clockwise rotation of rocker arm I 36 and further movement to the left of detent I34 so that, after movement of the detent is once started, ample clearance between the prong I30 of the release lever and the spherical end I32 of the pivot member is assured and the inertia of the handle will complete the movement of the handle to approximately its central position. By providing a slight amount of lost motion in the valve actuating parts, it becomes unnecessary for the handle to stop exactly in its central position in order that all valves may be closed.

Since only the slightest disengagement of handle socket H0 and cap I02 is necessary in order to allow the handle to move freely under the pressure of the valve springs, only'a very slight movement of the release lever I26 is required, after the top surface of prong I30 contacts the spherical end I32 of the pivot member I06, before handle I 08 will start to move toward its vertical position. For this reason, even though the release lever is held stationary by the detent, it is possible that any slight irregularity in the surface of that portion of the cap I02 where the handle socket IIO makes contact may cause the handle to again cease its movement, preventing the complete closure of the orifices. To prevent this possibility, the center I58 of the spherical end I32 of pivot member I06 is offset directly downward from the center I00 of the spherical end of the cap I02, as will be seen by reference to Figure 1. Obviously, as the handle I08 is moved out of its vertical position, center I60 will remain stationary, but center I58 will rotate about center I60, as shown in Figure 8. If center I58 is directly below center I60 when the handle is in its vertical position, it is apparent that when the handle is moved out of its vertical position, center I58 will rise slightly. It necessarily follows, therefore, that if center I60 is held stationary, as is the case when the release lever I26 is pressed far enough so as to slightly raise the handle assembly, as shown in Figure 10, then, as the handle moves toward its central position, the clearance between handle socket I I0 and cap I02 will increase slightly, removing any possibility that a slight irregularity in the surface of the cap I02 will stop the movement of the handle I08.

While some of the means used in this disclosure for detaining the release lever in releasing position and for assuring the movement of the handle, e'venthough there are slight irregularities in the surface of the cap, are somewhat different from those shown in my application Serial No. 588,665, the general principles of operation and the results accomplished are the same.

It will-be readily understood that the above described valve assembly, being a single unit with a single control handle, can replace two hot water valves or faucets and two cold water valves or faucets, or a total of four singl and separately controlled valves or faucets such as are now commonly used in such applications as where a shower and a tub are used together or where a spra for dishes and vegetables is used in con nection with a kitchen sink.

A modification of my invention is shown in- Figures 12 to 15 inclusive. In this modification there are three orifices I10, I12 and, I114, each, or?

which is connected to a separat fluid inlet con--. nection, such as connection I16 shown for orifice I 10, and all of which open into the same fluid outlet connection shown dotted at I18 in Figure 15. To illustrate one example of the possible usages of this particular type of valve, orifice I10 may be connected to the hot soft water supply and orifice I12 to the cold soft water supply in a building Where soft water is furnished in addition to the regular city supply, where cold water from the city supply may be connected to orifice I14. Extending across the tops of these orifices is a single diaphragm I80, above which is spring housing I82 held in position by retainer I84, secured to the main valve body I86 by means of screws I88. Spring housing I 82 has three vertical cylindrical holes concentric with the three. orifices, this construction corresponding to thatexplained in detail for th first embodiment. In each of the three cylindrical holes in spring housing I82 is a plunger, a disc and a compression spring of the same design and serving the same purpose as did the corresponding plunger 88, disc 90 and spring 92 in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 2.

A lifter member engages each of the discs in the second embodiment, lifter member I90 engaging the disc above orifice I10, lifter member I92 engaging the disc above orifice I12 and lifter member I94 engaging the disc above orifice I14. Thus, for the same reasons as were set forth in describing the first embodiment, if lifter member I90 is raised, fluid will flow from orifice I10, which in our example is hot soft water, while if lifter member I92 is raised, cold soft water will flow from orifice I12, and if lifter member I94 is raised, cold city water will fiow from orifice I14, any flow being discharged through the common outlet connection I16.

A cap I96 has an aperture I98 through which projects the stem of a pivot member 200, on which are carried the handle 202, the handle socket 204 and the lock nut 206. The aperture I98 limits the direction of motion of th handleassembly to those directions that will give the desired results. The lower end of the pivot member 200 is a disc-like section 208 having three depressions 2I0, 2I2 and 2 I4 in its upper surface, into which depressions extend the downwardly pointing ends of lifter members I90, I92 and I94 respectively. When the handle 202 is moved to the left toward City, as viewed in Figure 13, from its central position, so that the stem of pivot member 200 moves in slot 2I6 of aperture I98, the depression 2I4 will rise, raising lifter member I94 and causing orifice I14 to open so that cold city water will flow from the outlet. When the handle is moved along line 2 I 8 toward Cold, lifter member I92 will rise, opening orifice I12 and allowing cold soft water to flow from the outlet, while moving the handle along line 220 toward Hot will raise lifter member I90, opening orifice I 10 and allowing hot soft water to flow. If th handle is moved in some other direction from its centralposition between lines 2I8 and 220, a mixture of hot and cold soft water will flow, the proportions depending upon the direction of movement in the same manner as was explained in the mixing of hot and cold water in the first embodiment.

Although not necessary in order to provide an operable valve assembly, a release lever, such as 222 and a release lever detent 224 can be used in connection with this valve assembly and the operation of these parts will be identical to the opera-q,

i ll tion -of the corresponding parts in the first embodiment. Repetition of this description is therefore omitted.

It will be readily understood that this modification Iof my invention provides a single valve assembly with a single control handle which can take the place of three single and separately controlled valves or faucets, such as .are now commonly used where the city water supply is sohard that soft water is in common use.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 show a slight modification of my second embodiment. The arrangement of orifices and their inlet and outlet connections are exactly the same as in the embodiment shown in Figures 12 to 15 inclusive. Likewise, the depressions in the top surface of the disc=like section of the pivot member and the aperture in the cap which controls the direction of movement of the handle are the same. In this modification, however, a depression 231] has been added to the lower side of the disc-like section of the pivot memberjthis depression having a spherical top and tapered sides, somewhat similar-to the depressions on the upper surface, but inverted. Into this depression extends the vertical rod 232, which is fixed to the retainer 234. The upper end of the rod 232 is spherical so as to fit into the spherical end of the depression 2353. In this modification, the detent 236 has a twopronged end 238 so that the pin 232 is positioned in the slot between the prongs. If desired, this can be used as a guide means for the detent. All other parts of'this' valve assembly can be identical to the corresponding parts in the assembly shown in Figures 12 to 15 inclusive' Figure 15 applies equally well to the original second embodiment and to this modification and will therefore be used for reference in connection with. the description of this modification.

In order to illustrate one example of the usage of this type of valve assembly, let us assume that orifice H is connected to the hot water supply,

'orifice I12 to the cold water supply and orifice I It to a supply of chilled water, commonly termed ice water Since a supply of ice water is quite expensive to obtain and since there is hold the handle 240 in this position. This movement of the handle has raised lifter member I Ma so that orifice H4 is open and'ice water will flow from the outlet, but as soon as the operator re-' leases handle 240, the downward pull of the valve spring used in connection with lifter member ISM will cause the handle 249 to return to its central position and orifice H4 'willbe closed. "If the handle 240 is moved in any direction to the right of its central position, asviewed in Figure 17, the

entire handle assembly will rotate about the cenmovement of thehandle when'moved in any direction from the central position away from Ice Water." The operation to obtain hot or cold water or a mixture of the two is therefore identical with that of the assembly shown in the orig-.

inal second embodiment in Figures 12 to 15 in elusive.

It will be readily understood that this modification of the second embodiment of my invention provides a single valve assembly with a single control handle which'can replace three single and separately controlled valves or faucets, two of which are of the holding type and one of the self-closing type, such as are commonly used in many places, such as hotels and other places where running ice water is provided in addition to the regular hot and cold water, all of which commonly flow'from a single spout over the lavatory.

While the foregoing description and the drawings to which it refers are all based on valve as semblies having outlets that are to be connected to spouts, nozzles or other outlets that are not integral with the valve assemblies, it is'obvious that the description is otherwise equally applicable to valve assemblies where the outlet spouts are made as integral parts of the bodies.

For simplification and increased clea rness in the description, each embodiment is illustrated and described as having a handle that is in a vertical position when all valves are closed. There is nothing in the construction of the various valve assemblies, however, to prevent proper operation regardless of the direction in which these valve assemblies are mounted.

In Figures 19, 20 and 21 a capping member 250 has been shown schematically. Instead of this capping member being semi-spherical, it constitutes a conical member generated by a curve having the radius 254 located off center. The radii 254 terminate at 252. By generating the conical capping member 250 in this manner, it is slightly pointed at the apex. When this type of capping member is used with a handle socket that has a circular base or lower edge 256, it will snugly fit the capping member 258 when the socket is in the horizontal position shown in Figure 19. 'When the faucet is opened by moving the handle, which has not been shown, and the socket into the full line positionshown in Figure 20, the lower edge of the socket will be in the position shown by the full line 256.

The line 258, shown in dotted line in Figure 20, represents the height of a horizontal chord extending across the base of the capping member at right angles to the capping member shown by the full line in Figure 20. It can readily be seen that there is a clearance between this portion of the socket and the capping member 250. In other words, the socket, when adjusted from the horizontal position or the closed position into the open position, causes diametrically disposed areas of the socket to engage the capping member 250, leaving a clearance on either side, the points of contact being aligned with the line of maximum movement of the socket. This will take care of any irregularities or unevenness in the contour of the capping member and in the contour of the'socket member. When the handle, that has not been shown, together with the base of the socket member 256 is adjusted to home position 7 and the disc-like member ,IBO, shown schemati cally, is held on the level to which it has been raised, as shown in Figure 21, it can be readily seen that the base of the socket 256 clears the entire periphery 'ofcapping member 250, thereby insuring. freedom of movement of the socket to home position, without any frictional restraint. By permitting the disc-like portion vHill to be lowered into home position shown in Figure 19,

the socket will then be seated on the spherical capping member 250.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a fluid valve assembly having multiple ports arranged in two groups, self-closing valve means for each port, single control means movable into two groups of directions from the closed position, said control means when moved into one group of directions selectively allowing the opening and permitting the closing of the ports in one group of ports and when moved into the other group of directions selectively allowing the opening and permitting the closing of the other group of ports, said control means allowing the opening of the ports in a group to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, means for holding said control means in any adjusted position, means for releasing said holding means, and means for detaining said releasing means for a suflicient period to permit the valve means to close completely.

2. In a fluid valve assembly, a main body member having a plurality of intake passages terminating in ports, self-closing valve means, one

for each of the ports, means movable into two groups of directions for allowing the opening of said valve means, friction means for holding said movable means so as to allow the valve means to remain open to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, said friction means including a movable member and a stationary member, and means for separating said movable and said stationary members so as to release said friction holding means, said separating means being so formed that the distance of separation between said movable and said stationary members increases as the valve means approaches the closed position.

3. In a fluid valve assembly, a main body member having a pair of cavities, said main body having a plurality of intake passages terminating in ports, some of said ports being located in one of the cavities and the other ports being located in the other cavity, outlet passages, onefor each of the cavities, valve means normally biased into closed position for closing said ports, operating means for allowing the opening of the valve means to any desired position within the operative range of the valve assembly, said operating means holding the valve means in any adjusted position, and means separate from and moving independently of said operating means for releasing the holding means to permit the valve means to move into closed position.

4. In a fluid valve assembly, a main body member having a pair of cavities, said main body having a plurality of intake passages terminating in ports, some of said ports being located in one of the cavities and the other ports being located in the other cavity, outlet passages one for each of the cavities, valve means normally biased into closed position for closing said ports, control means for allowing the opening of said valve means to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, said control means being adjustable to close said valve means, friction' means for holding said control means so as to allow the valve means to remain open to any desired degree, means for releasing said holding means to permit the valve means to automatically close, means for holding the releasing means in releasing position during the closing of the valve, and means responsive to the control means for adjusting the releasing means into a nonreleasing position upon the closure of the valve means.

5. In a fluid valve assembly, a main body member having a pair of cavities, said main body having a plurality of intake passages terminating in ports, some of said ports being located. in one of the cavities and the other ports being located in the other cavity, outlet passages, one for each.

of the cavities, valve means normally biased into closed position for closing said ports, control means including an operating handle for allowing the valve means to open, means having an operative and an inoperative position, said last means holding the control means so as to allow the valve means to remain open when in the operative position, control means for actuating the holding means from operative to inoperative position to permit the valve means to automatically move into closed position, and means for holding the holding means in inoperative position while the valve means is moving into closed position.

6. In a fluid valve assembly, a main body member having a pair of cavities, said main body having a plurality of intake passages terminating in ports, some of said ports being located in one of the cavities and the other ports being located in the other cavity, outlet passages, one for each of the cavities, valve means normally biased into closed position, control means including an operating handle for allowing the valve means to remain open, means having an operative and an inoperative position, said last means holding the control means so as to allow the valve means to remain open when in the operative position, control means for actuating the holding means from operative to inoperative position to permit the valve means to automatically move into closed position, means for holding the holding means in inoperative position while the valve means is moving into closed position, and means responding to the operating handle for causing the holding means to move from inoperative position into operative position when. the valve means reaches closed position.

7. In a valve assembly, a main body member having a pair of cavities, said body member including a plurality of intake passages terminating in ports located in the cavities, some of the ports being located in one cavity and the other ports in the other cavity, a diaphragm overlying both cavities, a valve supporting member, said valve supporting member overlying the diaphragm so as to clamp the diaphragm between the body member and the valve supporting member, a plurality of valves mounted in the valve supporting member and registering with the ports, means common to all of the valves, a handle movable from a home position to actuate said means, said handle being movable into two groups of directions, said handle when adjusted into one group of directions allowing the valves overlying the ports in one cavity to open, said handle when adjusted into the other group of directions allowing the valves overlying the ports in the other cavity to open, means for retaining the handle in any adjusted position within the operative range of the valve assembly, and independent means for releasing said retaining means to permit'the valves to close and permitting the handle to return to home position. i

8. In a fluid valve assembly having multiple ports arranged in two groups, a plurality of selfclosing valve means, one for each of the ports, single operating meansmovable into two groups of directions from the closed position, said operating means when moved into one group of directions selectively allowing the opening and permitting the closing of the ports of one group of ports and when moved into the other group of directions selectively allowing the opening and permitting the closing of the ports of the other groupof ports, said operating means being adjustable to permit closure of said valve means, friction means for holding the operating means so as to allow the valve means to remain open to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, means for releasing said holding means to permit the valve means to automatically close, means for holding the releasing means in releasing position during the closing of the valve, and means responsive to the operating means for adjusting the releasing means into a non-releasing position upon the closure of the valve means.

9. A valve assembly having multiple ports, selfclosing valve means for closing each port, control means for allowing'said valve means to open to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, means for holding the control means so as to allow the valve means to remain open to any desired degree, means for releasing said holding means, and means for holding said releasing means for a sufiicient period so that any open valve will completely close, said control means including an operating member which moves in one group of directions from the closed position to open certain selected valve means and in a second group of directions from the closed position to open certain other'selected valve means, one direction in the first group being 7 directly opposite to one direction in the second group.

10. In a fluid valve assembly having multiple ports arranged in two groups, self-closing valve means for each port, single control means movable into two groups of directions from the closed positions, said control means when moved in one group of directions selectively allowing the opening or permitting the closing of the ports in one group of ports and when moved in the other group of directions selectively allowing the opening and" permitting the closing of the other group of ports, said control means allowing the opening of the ports in a group to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, means for holding'said'control meansin any adjusted position, and a second single control means moving independently of the first control means for releasing the holding means for all the valve means and for causing the first control means to automatically return to the closed position.

11. In a fluid valveassembly having three or more ports, valve means for each port, a single control means for allowing the opening selectively of said valve means, means for holding the con-' trol means so as to allow certain selected valve means to remain open to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, and pivotally mounted means for releasing the holding means, said pivotally mounted means being mounted in spaced relation from said control means so as to be unaffected by the movement of the control means.

12. In a fluid valve assembly having three or more ports with self-closing valve means for each port, a single control means movable in a number of directions from a home position for selectively allowing said valve means to open to any desired degree within the operative range of the valve assembly, and means for holding'the control means so as to allow the valve means to remain open, said holding resulting from friction between a movable member integral with the control means and a stationary member, one of the last two members being cup-shaped with an arcuate cavity that contacts the arcuate surface of the other member, these last two members being so formed as to provide clearance between the two members in the region of minimum T618:- tive movement, while providing contact in the region of maximum relative movement so as to insure frictional contact in the region of maximum relative movement.

DONALD H. REEVES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 721,562 Hibbard' Feb. 24, 1903 954,898 Sternberg Apr. 12, 1910 1,574,767 Thurtell Mar. 2, 1926 1,584,895 Rowe May 18, 1926 1,890,767 Block I NOV. 6, 1928 1,938,454 Kellan Dec. 5, 1933 2,205,684 Cochran June 25, 1940 2,211,167 Safi'ord Aug. 13, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 336,912 Italy 1 Feb. 24,1936 

